GARGANTUAN steps

Friday, June 15, 2007

nemo me umpune lacessit

nemo me umpune lacessit
"no one provokes me with impunity"
- motto of Scotland

 "wha daur meddle wi me?"
- Scottish translation

 " who dare's meddle with me?"
- English version

Just got back from four days of almost endless travelling! Spending Monday to Wednesday in Scotland and yesterday in Oxford, which was probably the best part of the four days. The lack of sleep has decreased my body's immunity and I am currently down with a cold and block nose, which irritates me to no end. I've also just cut my hair, at a Japanese hair-dresser. They charge less if you let the academy students cut (5 pounds as compared to their usual price of 25 pounds!) My hair is still rather long, unfortunately, but my hair dresser really put in a lot of effort and patience, and I just couldn't bear to tell her that I wanted it shorter (after wearing my spectacles at the end).

Meanwhile, here are the pictures of my recent trip!

Scotland

Me and my friend Yinru at George Square

Me and Glasgow University and the River Clyde

Yinru was my classmate way back in JC (that's an amazing 5 years ago! I feel old) She kindly accommodated me in my stay in Glasgow and happily brought me around on the first day! Unfortunately, she wasn't able to go with my to Stirling and Edinburgh, but I still managed fine!


Robert the Bruce


Church of the Holy Rude

I went to Stirling on my second day in Scotland. Stirling is renown for two battles. The Battle of Stirling Bridge, in which William Wallace fought the English. Unfortunately, he was betrayed, quartered, hanged and mutilated in London. There was a monument two miles north of Stirling called the Wallace Monument, which apparently contained his two handled sword, but I didn't have the time to go and have a look. 

Another battle famous in Stirling is the Battle of Bannockburn, which was where Robert the Bruce defeated the English. This battleground was two miles south of Stirling and I was quite caught in between. So I just went skirting around the central area and went to see the castle, and that's about it before leaving for Edinburgh! Something interesting is that there's a church called the Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling! I was quite amazed to see it. It's ok to be rude if you're holy I guess.


Me and Edinburgh Castle


Me assuming I was climbing Arthur's Seat


Arthur's Seat
(The peak in the background)

Edinburgh is probably the most beautiful city I've ever seen. There's the New Town with the high streets and shops and all, and then there's the Old Town where the Castle is situated right at the top, surveying the entire city. It is quite an awe-inspiring sight to see the castle perched up high above the city.

Nearby is a park called Holyrood Park. It's not really a park, but where the highest point in Edinburgh is. The peak is called Arthur's Seat, and it is an extinct volcano. I foolishly followed some people who were climbing up a path and I thought that to be the path to Arthur's Seat. I reached the top of that path and looked up, and I saw Arthur's Seat far away. The path led down again. I had used the wrong path and I was pretty cheesed off with myself! But still, the view was quite spectacular from up there! I was quite tired though, and it reminded me of my time in army climbing Mt Biang and stuff.
That's about all for my trip to Scotland, which wasn't really too eventful, due to a lack of company. I shall try in future never to travel alone again. It is quite boring.

Oxford




Me and All Soul's College
(apparently the most brilliant of all the colleges in Oxford, and they only accept Fellows)


Me punting with Ben Loh enjoying himself finally


Nandos, our treat of the day
Together with Ben Loh and his girlfriend, Zhi Jing

It's my second time to Oxford, but this time with a student studying there bringing me around! All thanks to Ben Loh's girlfriend, Zhi Jing, for being my tour guide. In return, I punted for them whilst they enjoyed each other's company! Ben Loh used to just have to punt so now I have relieved him of his duties!

Punting is just using a pole and dropping it into the river and using it to propel the boat forward, It is quite tiring and back breaking, cause you have to steer the boat with that long pole using your back muscles. It felt good to get a work out though! 

They were still having exams in Oxford, and the students had to wear gowns for the exams! Which is really extremely traditional! On the first day of the exams, they have to put a white carnation on their gown, on the last day, red carnations and in between, pink! Apparently, this is just to give the florist money.

Ben Loh and I caught up on good times (we are walking buddies to school) and discussing floorball and tactics. It was great to meet his girlfriend too, who showed hospitality beyond what was necessary, and I'm really thankful for that! We treated ourselves to Nandos (which is a restaurent selling roast chicken!) for dinner and it was an excellent end to my day!

Meanwhile, it's time to vacate my hall and prepare for my trip to Italy and France and then back home!

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posted by Gabriel Yan at 11:54 PM 0 comments